Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7 2004 test drive - 2006 SUV
Jack Semerkin - American
The Japanese king of compact all -terrain vehicles arrived in Russia straight from America. With all seriously, we say - you have not seen such a glorious guy yet! Hello, Maya from
If the cars knew how to speak, then Suzuki-Grand-Vitara-XL-7, maybe it would seem to others like that: hello, my name is Jack Semerkin. I am the largest compact all-around in the world, I have a seven-seater salon, I am equipped with only a 6-cylinder V-shaped engine of 2.7 liters, I have a frame design, a full handout, and with a leather salon, hatch and an automatic box I am cheaper than Toyota-Rav4. Questions?
But what is there - everything is clear. Gathering exclusively in Japan and intended primarily for the North America market, the largest all -terrain vehicle from Suzuki is ready to make a rustle in the formed market for compact sports Utiliti Vikl! Although suspicion is still creeping. But what if our American-Japanese friend is just an upsurge, an unscrupulous inventor who, for the sake of a red word, will not regret the truth-mother? Let's try to bring a simpleton to clean water. Yankees, they say, are gullible people.
Safety at the highest level
If you believe that only Europeans are concerned about passive security problems, then you are deeply mistaken. The American Road Security Insurance Institute (IIHS) defeats the cars with might and main and puts them assessments for the resistance shown in crash tests. Car companies are vitally interested in the successful passage of such tests. And not only because of an increase in the image of customers. Cars with a good rating receive insurance benefits. There are only four ratings: bad, minimally acceptable, satisfactory and good.
So, at these tests, the Grand Vitara-XL-7 received the highest score and fell into an elite gear company. The same assessment of all-wheel drive cars was awarded only Acura-MDX, \u200b\u200bBMW-K5, Lend-Rover-Discove-II, Lexus-RX300 and M-Class Mercedes-Benz. The seven managed to achieve success through the use of a frame with special energy -absorbing zones, second -generation airbags, as well as roof stands, reinforced by strong steel inserts. Similarly, from the same metal alloy, by the way, the gas tank is protected.
A separate air conditioning panel and individual deflectors allow you to order temperature even from the gallery
The functionality and readability of the dashboard prevailed over aesthetic sophistication
False alarm
So, dear, and you also call yourself a full-fledged alternate? - I rub my hands with enthusiasm. After all, the first point of our questionnaire struck the hole in the impeccable biography of XL-7. Carter protection is not installed by car! And in this form for asphalt, as they say, not a single wheel. But then the seller-consultant of the salon Suzuki came to the aid of the American. It turned out that the all -terrain vehicle was just unloaded from the car carrier and simply did not have time to screw the trash. In twenty minutes we will resolve! - assured the mechanic. They managed for fifteen. Well, dear man, here we will go around the city with you, then we will see what kind of Sukhov it is!
Good inside The very concept of interior design was invented by Europeans in order to have at least some chances in the fight against the Japanese. Such a seditious thought crept into the head after the first five minutes of the trip. There are no words, the XL-7 salon is assembled at an impeccable level. It seems that you can’t stick a razor blade into the joints of the panels. But where, in fact, were Japanese stylists? Unreasonable gray plastic, the same inconspicuous upholstery of doors and seats, a steering wheel on which the Suzuki emblem is not even stamped. It is amazing - why would the Japanese be shy about their brand?
It seems that the whole point is that the money saved by the creators of the XL-7 on the interior design went to develop the driver’s workplace perfect from the point of view of the ergonomics of the workplace.
No matter how I tried to find a weak link here, only in vain did you spend time. Perfection begins with the handles of doors equally convenient for double grip - both natural and reverse. Climbing the salon is easy and simple - the steps are not required. And the angles of opening the doors are simply amazing! Ease of control of lighting equipment, an excellent review, the optimal set of seats adjustments. Well done, Semerkin, there is nothing to complain about. But that’s just a saying. What is the next point? So, the capacity, therefore
A full handout - a rarity for a compact all -around
Pull the lever - access to the third row and will open
If you do not like the mouse uniform of the salon, fork out on leather seats and decorative wood inserts - the interior will sparkle differently
Universal tires are too quickly clogged with dirt, limiting excellent juper makings Suzuki
Five plus two is seven? If you have not yet guessed, XL-7 is an elongated version of the Grand Vitara all-terrain vehicle. Moreover, thanks to an increase in the wheeled base, the designers managed to place three rows of seats in the car. But is this Suzuki really designed for seven passengers? The answer will be so - almost. Having tuned it under your own - above average - growth of a driver’s chair and a second row of seats, you can put on the third adolescents in the third case. It turns out a car with a peculiar seats of 5+2 - five adults and two children. In this case, the inhabitants of the gallery will not feel infringed. At their services, and deflectors with a temperature regulator, and cup holders, and a small pocket for small things, and a 12 -volt outlet - in general, there will be something to have fun.
True, in the seven -seater version of the space for luggage, there is practically no left, but it is easy to help this grief. The second row of seats can be moved forward - special slopes are provided, and the backs of the back row are easily folded, forming an even and spacious collapse. You must admit that this option is suitable in most situations - for nature, and shopping, and for girls or boys.
The fact is that, as the creators of the Big Suzuki suggest, women will amount to 70% of the XL-7 buyers in the States. First of all, these are housewives who are impressed by the practicality and capacity of the minivans, but who does not like their overly family, utilitarian image. XL-7 for such ladies really ideal: with the capacity of a small bus, he also looks like a real athlete.
The children's room in the back seat of the Grand Vitara is quite comfortable for two teenagers
Macho do not cry Not all cars that have undergone an increase in growth retain their former attractiveness. The Grand Vitara surgical intervention clearly benefited. If the usual five-door with its rounded soft shapes resembles a plush bear, then the XL-7, adding in growth, has become noticeably more solid. And in general, the seven grew out of short pants compact Sports of UTILITI and its views and dimensions more like serious machines such as Mitsubishi-Pajero-Sport and Jeeps. Clean, natural lines, muscle tubercles on the front and rear wings, a light touch of noble chromium, magnificent wheeled wheels that are part of the basic package, and therefore seeming even more pretty - in general, and in the privileges of the XL -7 makes a favorable impression. And a respectable attitude in the flow is guaranteed to you.
Moreover, the advances given to you by drivers ahead of the walking cars, which, seeing a predatory grin in the rearview mirrors, are in a hurry to accept to the right, and are justified.
What is how much?
In the states of the XL-7 is proposed in four different trim levels: standard, plus, touring and limited. However, only the last two come to us. It is not worth the right of the word, to be upset due to limited choice, because the Grand Vitara is equipped with all inclusions according to the scheme. In exchange for $ 28,900, you get an all-wheel drive car with 5-speed mechanics, a power steering, two airbags, three rows of seats, a central lock, a full electric packet, heated seats and mirrors, alloy wheels, air conditioning with two control panels. In our opinion, it makes sense to report a thousand for the top version of the Limited, in addition to the listed leather finishes, wooden, cruise control, electric hatch, fog lights and rear spoiler. Agree - the sheepskin is worth the dressing. The only unaccounted option - an automatic box - will cost $ 1250. And do not forget that all the cars sold through official dealers of Suzuki receive a factory warranty for three years or 100,000 km.
The seven is ready to six A single motor is installed on the XL-7-a 2.7-liter V-shaped six with a capacity of 173 liters. With. To argue in dynamics with the most sports of the all-terrain vehicles, that is, BMW-X5, the Grand Vitara is unlikely to be able to, but to drive their competitors in the compact class for her is to spit.
Even in a company with a 4-speed automatic, the engine does not lack power. If necessary, the car smoothly and unencreigc away crawls into idle, and if you want a hotter, just drown the gas pedal deeper - compressing a lump, Suzuki briskly jumps forward. In addition, for the most desperate there is a Power button located to the left of the selector.
Although, let's say right away, you will not receive any fantastic portion of adrenaline. It’s just that the box in this mode will keep the gear longer, allowing it to more vigorously accelerate without a kik doward.
By the way, more than the dynamic qualities of the seven, I was simply fantastic silence and vibration protection of the engine. Thanks to the hydraulic props! He was even more surprised to learn that the drive of the gas distribution mechanism at the chain Grand Vitara. The chain, by the way, is designed for the entire service life of the car and does not require maintenance. Great - it remains to come up with an undergoing suspension and never empty gas tank.
Although on the suspension (in front - independent, on the racks of McEferson, behind - an uncertain beam) XL -7 and so sin to complain. Moderately tough and springy, she with the calmness of the elephant perceives pits, cracks and cobblestone pavement. At the same time, thanks to the elongated base, the car does not go out, pampering passengers very good for the all -terrain vehicle by smoothness.
But with controllability on the asphalt, it turned out as always. Do not blame me - the dependent rear suspension of a real universal alternate will make itself felt. Noticeable and causing the rolls in corners, an empty steering wheel, an early tendency to skidding - I have not discovered anything new for myself. Although it should be noted that compared to the usual Grand Vitara XL-7 at high speed holds better. However, she should not scour by definition - again due to the elongated base.
Where the infantry will not pass Having lost in handling, clear, we win in cross -country ability. There is no doubt there is nothing to be ashamed of their all -resistant qualities. We bend your fingers: the frame structure is once, the good security of the units is two, a handout with a decrease in a number of gears - three. The passages of pendants are also impressive. It is not surprising that in the mud, and not just in snow sloping and on a broken country, the seven feels quite confident. The motor, as we know, can not occupy a moment, all -wheel drive can be connected at speeds up to 100 km/h - the manufacturer highly recommends that the car moves in a straight line, and not turn - and then you will see the faces of the owners of parquet Toyotes and then the face of the face Honda.
According to all-terrain abilities, the Grand Vitara plays in the same league with Sportiju and Pajero-Pinin. However, everything is good in moderation. And do not forget that the car base is quite long, and the clearance is not so outstanding - only 19 mm. But the main thing is to remember that there are universal road tires on your XL-7. Let the all-resistant image of the Bridgeto-Duler tires not deceive you. The toothless tread is instantly clogged with dirt, and the wheels begin to slip in harmless situations. But believe me, you would have lost much more money for excess fuel and nerve cells due to road noise if Suzuki installed a full-fledged juper rubber on the seven.
We ask you to love and complain By and large, the Grand Vitara-XL-7 does not need anyone's patronage. The consumer qualities of the all -terrain vehicle are better than any recommendations. In our opinion, the largest Suzuki significantly extended the framework of compact SUV. No matter how trite it sounds, but this is true. Let us recall at least about the dimensions, the level of equipment and the price. In a word, I will be extremely surprised if, during the near future, Jack Semerkin does not break into sales leaders in his class. Good luck, greet you!
Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7
common data
Body
7-seater station wagon
Equipped mass, kg
1680
Complete mass, kg
2260
Length x width x height, mm
4685 x 1780 x 1740
Base, mm
2800
Track, mm
1500
Maximum speed, km/h
180
Fuel consumption, l/100 km
9.9/15.6
Fuel supply, l
64 (AI-95)
Engine
Location
Front transversely
Design
6-cylinder, V-shaped,
with two camshafts in the heads of cylinders,
with distributed fuel injection
The number of valves per cylinder
four
Cylinder diameter X piston stroke, mm
88 x 75
Working volume, SMZ
2736
Compression ratio
9.5: 1
Power, L.S. (kW) at rpm
173/5500
Torque, kgsm (nm) at rpm
24.6 (241)/4000
Chassis
Transmission
rear wheel drive with connected front bridge
Transmission
Automatic, 4-speed, with a decrease in a number of gears
Transport numbers:
I; II; III; IV; Z.Kh.
2.83; 1.49; 1.0; 0.69; 2.7
main gear
5.7
Reducing gear
1.82
Suspension:
front
Independent, at the racks of McEfson,
transverse levers,
the reptile stabilizer
behind
dependent, spring, multi -link
Steering
REMENCH with an amplifier
Brakes
front
Disk ventilated
behind
Drum, abs
The size of the tires
235/60 R16
PER
Attractive price and equipment, excellent sound insulation, powerful engine, all -resistant abilities, spaciousness of minivan
AGAINST
Boring interior, universal tread pattern, noticeable rolls in corners, rear drum brakes
Mikhail Medvedev, photo Maxim Goncharov
Source: Magazine "Limousine" [07/01]
